Starting from Tianlong, Wudu Tianxia

Leizhou, Chiyan Cave Main Hall.

On the west side, a large-headed old man sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. His head was completely bald, without a single hair, and his face was covered in blood. From a distance, he looked like a large blood sphere.

This person is none other than Duanmu Yuan, one of the cave masters under the Lingjiu Palace.

At this moment, Duanmu Yuanzheng had a worried look on his face and was restless.

Chiyan Cave is one of the unorthodox sects in the Lingnan area. Although it cannot be ranked among the major sects, it has countless disciples and is a considerable force. It is quite well-known in the Leizhou martial arts world.

It may look glamorous, but only Duanmu Yuan himself knows how difficult it is to survive under the command of Lingjiu Palace.

Grandma was incredibly strict in managing them.

Though they were called his subordinates, they were actually slaves. Punishment included being nailed to the bone and having one's collarbone pierced, which were considered lenient punishments. The worst punishment was being unable to escape death.

On the third day of the third lunar month of the following year, it was his turn to take turns offering sacrifices with the six caves and three islands, including Tianfeng Cave and Ziyuan Cave.

Pearls, silks, satins, delicacies, cosmetics, and other items that the palace desires are all readily available.

However, one of the medicines that the Lord requires is extremely difficult to find.

If the five-foot-long deer antlers are not fully prepared before the offering, the punishment will likely be severe this time.

The thought of the fate of the previous Tianfeng Cave Master thirteen years ago, when he was blinded, had his tongue cut off, and his arms severed by the Venerable Lord, brought back memories of that time.

Duanmu Yuan felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

They served the old master to the utmost, and now they've heard about some "young master."

One trouble after another kept piling up, and Duanmu Yuan didn't get a single good night's sleep.

He's so anxious he's practically running around in circles.

Finally, footsteps sounded at the door.

An elderly man in his fifties, dressed in black, stepped in.

The old man's name was Qin Yufeng. He was one of the six caves and three islands that participated in the Lingjiu Palace's offering on the third day of the third lunar month. He was the master of Ziyuan Cave.

"Master Qin, you've finally arrived. There are less than three weeks left until the offering ceremony. Have any messages come back from those you sent out?"

As soon as Qin Yufeng entered, Duanmu Yuan grabbed his sleeve and pressed him onto the prayer mat.

Qin Yufeng shook his head slightly: "News? What good news could there be! All three teams sent to Changbai Mountain have returned, and they don't even have four feet of deer antlers, let alone five feet."

"what!"

"Messages have also come from the other four caves and three islands, but not from Fujian, Zhejiang, or western Sichuan, including the four border markets."

Qin Yufeng's words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky. The usually calm and composed Duanmu Yuan became a little anxious and paced back and forth.

"Brother Duanmu, don't be in a hurry, there are still 30 days left."

"You make it sound so easy. If we can't gather all the offerings this time, whipping and nailing will be the least of our worries. If the Lord gets angry and refuses to give us the pain-relieving and antidote for the 'Life and Death Talisman,' wouldn't we be in a life-or-death predicament?"

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his bald forehead; he was clearly terrified of his grandmother.

"Brother Qin, do you have any ideas?"

Duanmu Yuan noticed that although Qin Yufeng also looked gloomy, he was not as frightened as Duanmu Yuan, which was quite unusual for him.

In the past, he was terrified of the Lord, but now he's more composed than I am.

"Is the Lord angry because a new 'Little Lord' has arrived?"

"You mean?"

Qin Yufeng suggested, "We can appeal to his desires and ask him to intercede for us before the old venerable one."

Since he was honored as the "Junior Venerable Master" by Lingjiu Palace and became the number one person below the Venerable Master, his power in Lingjiu Palace goes without saying.

But Duanmu Yuan thought it was unreliable. All the cave masters and island masters under Lingjiu Palace went to Piaomiao Peak to meet the Venerable Lord, and their eyes were covered with black cloths. No one knew what the Venerable Lord looked like, let alone the young Venerable Lord.

"We know nothing about his gender, temperament, or preferences, so how can we vote for him?"

Qin Yufeng slowly asked, "Do you know Sikong Xuan?"

"I've heard a little about it." Duanmu Yuan still looked worried, wondering what Qin Yufeng wanted to say.

"I had some dealings with him in my younger days. When I heard that the Shennong Gang had surrendered to the Lingjiu Palace, I was curious and sent him a message by carrier pigeon. Guess what happened?"

Duanmu Yuan was inexplicably irritated and really wanted to just yell at Qin Yufeng, "Guess your mother!"

"Brother Qin, don't speak in riddles!"

"Sikong Xuan actually knew the young master. It took his brother a lot of blood to get information out of him. The young master's identity is the young man who was rumored to be being hunted down by Penglai."

Qin Yufeng lowered his voice and recounted to him everything that Sikong Xuan had seen and heard at the foot of Misty Peak, as well as information about the young man.

Is this news true?

"Absolutely certain!"

Duanmu Yuan's breath hitched: "You mean... the Little Venerable Master has a grudge against Penglai?"

Qin Yufeng nodded slowly: "It's more than just a grudge. I heard that Penglai once issued a 'Sect Leader's Order' to hunt him down throughout the entire martial arts world."

"To verify Sikong Xuan's words, I specifically inquired about it. The Tianyi Gang once helped Penglai hunt down the Little Venerable Master. When the Little Venerable Master ventured into Tianyi alone, he left behind words like 'Sweeping the Court Spirit Vulture.' With these two pieces of evidence corroborating each other, the information should be..."

"No mistake, otherwise why would they leave a message for Tianyi Gang?"

"Penglai..."

Duanmu Yuan suddenly stopped pacing and looked at Qin Yufeng: "Brother Qin, do you want us... to deal with Penglai?"

"Exactly!"

"We cannot find the five-foot deer antlers, and we will be held accountable before the old master. However, if we can avenge the young master and suppress the arrogance of the Penglai Sect, why should we worry about him not putting in a good word for us?"

Duanmu Yuan's mind raced as he weighed the pros and cons.

The images of Penglai Lingxuzi and Dulingzi flashed through his mind again, and he shook his head inwardly.

They can't just try to extort money from Penglai!

Sudden.

Duanmu Yuan paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

As a shrewd man who had been around the block, he vaguely grasped the key.

The twenty caves and fifty-three islands under the jurisdiction of Lingjiu Palace have few legitimate martial arts sects. Murder, arson, poisoning, and kidnapping are commonplace for them.

How could they possibly risk their lives against Ling Xuzi, Du Lingzi, and the others?

Penglai has many industries. We just need to target a few big ones, wipe them out in one fell swoop, and then ambush and kill a few important core disciples, and present their heads to Piaomiao Peak.

Naturally, this would please the young lord.

"Think about it, if we stand up for him, not only will we be spared punishment, but we might even get on the good side of the young master."

Duanmu Yuan's eyes widened in disbelief, and he suddenly slapped his thigh:

"Excellent! What a brilliant move to cater to their tastes! The Penglai Sect prides itself on being a prestigious and righteous sect in the martial arts world, and has always looked down on us unorthodox sects. This is a perfect opportunity to use the young master's name to teach them a lesson!"

Duanmu Yuan could no longer contain himself; his face was full of urgency.

"There's no time to lose! Brother Qin, let's write letters to the other four caves and three islands now, inviting them to Quanzhou for a meeting."

"it is good."

Qin Yufeng relaxed his brows, smiled, clasped his hands in a fist salute to him, and then took his leave.

Once outside the Crimson Flame Cave, Qin Yufeng revealed a cold smile.

How could I not know what Duanmu Yuan was thinking?

They're only thinking about seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune. Where in the world can you find such a good thing? Do they think they can fool everyone by killing a few inner disciples?

He didn't know what the young master was like, but how could he not know what kind of temperament his grandmother had?

They are not so easily dealt with.

Gui Yunzi happens to be in Quanzhou, so let's go big.

If we bring along the other four caves and three islands that participated in the offering, we might have unexpected gains from a surprise attack.

Once you're on his ship, don't think about going any further.

In Qin Yufeng's mind, Penglai was a tiger, and this time they had to go and touch the tiger's backside.

There is no other reason.

Rather than being tormented by the Child Granny for not being able to gather enough offerings, he would rather commit suicide.

I'm not even afraid of killing myself, so why would I be afraid of you, you damn Penglai?

If it really breaks, I, Laozi Qinyufeng, will accept it!

......